Angiographic studies were performed on 60 of 394 patients diagnosed as having thoracic outlet syndrome. Ten of the patients studied angiographically presented with obstruction of contrast material in the axilla with refilling of the axillary artery through the external mammary and shoulder arteries. The obstruction was caused by lower trunk brachial plexus compression. This seldom known cause of hyperabduction syndrome occurred in 2.5 per cent of the patients examined for thoracic outlet syndrome. Surgical treatment consists of loosening the axillary artery by tying off the external mammary and circumflex arteries, followed by section and anastomosis of the axillary artery anteriorly to the brachial plexus. Angiography is considered a basic diagnostic procedure, mainly when concomitant compression occurs and gives good dynamic information on the location and importance of the compression.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The use of bovine pericardium as an arterial graft. A 5-year follow-up.

From June 1980 to June 1985, 42 patients were subjected to patch graft angioplasties using glutaraldehyde tanned bovine pericardium. Life-table analysis showed a 100% patency in the grafted areas. Histological studies made on specimens recovered at 7 and 19 months showed no major deterioration of the original structure. Fibrous cell infiltration was not extensive enough to be harmful. Elastic fibers were relatively preserved, with some dissociation. No endothelialization, infection, thrombosis, or aneurysm dilatation was detected. Angiographic control up to 37 months showed patency and normal internal surface of the graft. It appears from this study that bovine pericardium is a good alternative as a vascular graft material.

Angiography↗